Skip to content
News
Link copied to clipboard

S. Jersey police chief charged with stealing from MADD

The Clayton Borough police chief and his wife were charged today with conspiracy and theft for allegedly siphoning $150,000 from the Mothers Against Drunk Driving organization.

The Clayton Borough police chief and his wife were charged today with conspiracy and theft for allegedly siphoning $150,000 from the Mothers Against Drunk Driving organization.

The charges were announced by State Attorney General Stuart Rabner against Frank Winters and his wife, Bernice, both of whom had served in volunteer positions with MADD between 2001 and 2004.

The attorney general said the Winterses had set up two companies, Holiday House and Lasting Impact, that were in the business of providing such trinkets as key chains, pins and other souvenirs for groups and organizations.

Rabner said that they never disclosed to MADD that they were the owners of the companies and that at least 80 checks totaling $150,000 were issued by MADD to the companies for items that were never delivered.

The money generated by the bogus orders was then used by Winters and his wife for personal expenses, Rabner said, including mortgage, car and credit card payments, and meals at restaurants.

Both Frank Winters, who is also a councilman in Newfield, and his wife face one charge each of conspiracy and theft by deception. They remain free pending a hearing May 1.

Frank Winters called the allegations "absolute nonsense."

The Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office has taken over supervising Clayton's 15-member police department.